IF you want to get ahead get a hat, that's the philosophy of Kate Mckenny who has just started up her own hat design and production business with the support of Barclays Bank.
After three years working for a local hat designer, Kate, 29, decided that now was as good a time as any to venture into the cut and thrust world of business, allowing her the freedom to develop and produce her own designs.
A former pupil of Greenhill School, Tenby, and a student at Carmarthenshire College for Technology and Art, where she studied textiles and printing, Kate now runs her business from home in St. Clears.
With only between 15 and 20 milliners in the UK, Kate has identified a potential niche market, which she hopes to exploit. The business, trading as Kate Mckenny Designs, aims to design and produce unique fashion hats for all occasions, from weddings to events such as Ascot.
The initial range will be between 30 and 40 hats with the service of remodelling existing hats or designing unique models in consultation with the customer. The hats take from between two to three days to make and range from £120 to £200, depending on materials used.
Business has already got off to a wonderful start as Kate has just come seventh in 'The Hat designer of the Year', a worldwide competition with finalists from as far as the USA and Holland. In order to reach the final, Kate had to design and create two couture hats, made and trimmed entirely by hand, two ready to wear hats which could be mass produced and two soft hats made from a flat pattern in fabric, yarn or skin.
Kate Mckenny said: "The aim of the business is to provide a personal and unique service to every customer. There's no chance of the mother of the bride turning up with the same hat as someone else. I am also able to produce an identical match to any outfit and ensure that the hat fits perfectly which is a common problem. I want to do my bit to make hats fun and interesting again."
Judith Davies, Barclays start-up manager, said: "The attention to detail is fantastic. Kate is sure to be very busy. This is a great example of someone using skills and experience to spot a business opportunity. Barclays is delighted to support such an innovative and entrepreneurial venture and wishes Kate every success."
For further details of Kate's Designs, contact Kate Mckenny on 01994 230304.